*Neuralstem corporate strategy is to seek partnerships/collaborations to fund the programs.

NSI-189: Neuroregenerative Small Molecule

NSI-189 is the lead compound in our neurogenic small molecule drug discovery program. NSI-189 is being evaluated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in a Phase 2 clinical trial. Data suggest that NSI-189 works by promoting synaptogenesis or neurogenesis in the hippocampus; a different mechanism of action than currently marketed antidepressants. Results of the Phase 2 trial are expected in the third quarter of 2017.

Multiple data support NSI-189's neurogenic characteristics in preclinical models: Angelman Syndrome, irradiation-induced cognitive impairment, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and stroke. Additionally, NSI-189 produced a concentration and time dependent increase in the magnitude of long-term potentiation (LTP), a measure of synaptic plasticity which is an in vitro biomarker of memory.

Our technology enables the isolation and large-scale expansion of regionally specific, human neural stem cells from all areas of the developing human brain and spinal cord. This enables the generation of physiologically relevant human neurons of all types. We believe that our stem cell technology will assist the body in producing new cells to replace malfunctioning or dead cells as a way to treat disease and injury. Many significant and currently untreatable human diseases arise from the loss or malfunction of specific cell types in the body. Our stem cells may provide an effective method to protect such cell types and in certain cases to generate replacement cells from neural stem cells. We believe that protecting the healthy cells or replacing damaged, malfunctioning or dead neural cells with fully functional ones may be a useful therapeutic strategy in treating many diseases and conditions of the nervous system.